Archive
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The Bigg idea for living culture
THE answers to Blackburn's alleged late night booze culture have been widely debated. In the final part of our week-long insight into town centre drinking, Chief Reporter DAVE HIGGERSON spoke to key police and council officers to find out what plans they
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Individuals must take responsibilty for actions
I WISH to congratulate Margo Grimshaw on her courage and commitment to this borough. It is refreshing to learn that someone recognises a need to improve this important area without resorting to takeaways, pubs or clubs. She is quite right in her comments
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Police holding child abduction bid suspect
A MAN has been arrested on suspicion of child abduction after an incident in Tyldesley involving an 11-year-old boy. The 22-year-old man was detained after an attempt was made to pull the boy into a car on Manchester Road, on Monday. Greater Manchester
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The truth about our politicians
IMIATAZ Patel was certainly correct to condemn the six independent councillors for their duplicity and deceit towards the voters that elected them (LET, July 17) by dropping the party that they stood for immediately after they were elected. The malaise
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Hospital wins top rating in league table
HOSPITAL bosses in Leigh are celebrating after they were recognised as being one of the best performing hospitals in the country. Wrightington, Wigan & Leigh NHS Trust retained its three star rating after the Government's Healthcare Commission announced
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Website fourth in country
BURY Council's website has rocketed up a national league table for the accessibility of local authority websites. It is now rated fourth best in the country, up from last year's 207th place, by computing experts Sitemorse in the June 2004 UK Local Council
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Chef hopes competition is easy peasy
A BURY chef is set to wow judges with his innovative use of the garden pea in this year's Great British Pub and Restaurant Challenge. Christopher Hull, resident chef at the Swan and Cemetery pub in Manchester Road, is one of eight regional finalists to
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'Watch your water' shock
WATER company United Utilities today came under fire after asking people to be "water wise" - despite one of the gloomiest summers for years. The company has warned people across the region not to be careless with water, since just a couple of hot days
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Police identify body in park as taxi driver
DETECTIVES are attempting to unravel the final movements of a 22-year-old taxi driver, hours before his badly burned body was found in a park. Police have named the dead man as father-of-one Tahir Shahoor Butt from the Fallowfield area of Manchester.
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Cash to hold up play area
RESIDENTS' requests to transform derelict land in Nelson into a play area look set to fall on deaf ears when councillors meet next week. The Nelson Committee will be presented with a report from the parks, cemeteries and outdoor recreation department
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Noise and traffic concerns over new pub plans
A NEW pub could be built in Burnley if borough councillors give plans the go-ahead. But Burnley Council has received four letters of objection from local residents to the proposals by Leeds-based development firm Tanyaco to build a pub on land off Pendle
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Phones mast plan sparks new protest
PLANS for a third new mobile phone mast in Burnley have been submitted to Burnley Council. Masts are already proposed for King's Mill, in Queen Street, Briercliffe, and Brownside Road, and now there are plans for a third on a grass verge in Glen View
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Good practice makes perfect
SHAKERS boss Graham Barrow reckons there's still work to do on the training pitch before Yeovil arrive at Gigg on the opening day of the new season. The manager spotted a few problems that need addressing during Saturday's 4-0 defeat by a strong Wigan
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Thousands set to flock to Royal Lancs show
THE ROYAL Lancashire show starts on Tuesday with as many as 60,000 visitors expected over the next three days. The county's showpiece agricultural event, being held at Salesbury Hall Farm in Ribchester, near Blackburn, is one of the region's most popular
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Plans for Earby move a step closer
PLANS to designate part of a Pendle town a conservation area could move a step closer when councillors meet this week. On Thursday the council's Executive Committee will discuss proposals to declare parts of Earby a conservation area. It follows a decision
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Down the years
10 years ago AN 18-MONTH-OLD water baby swam a sponsored breadth to help his toddler friend. Lee Fishwick, of Godiva Street, Burnley, swam his first recorded breadth and raised £200 for the Joshua Fawcett computer appeal. The money was given to Joshua
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Pair who beat up witness jailed
A 38-YEAR-OLD Accrington man who took part in a "vicious and persistent" attack which left the victim with serious injuries is behind bars for four and a half years. Burnley Crown Court heard how drunken Anthony Burnett and Allan Sturdy had been trying
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Bath house rumpus
POLICE fear the remains of a Roman bath house in an historic Ribble Valley village is being used as a drugs and booze den by local youngsters. Officers in Ribchester seized cannabis and alcohol at the bath house site, a popular tourist attraction in the
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'I won't risk Moore'
BURNLEY striker Ian Moore will not be risked when the Clarets kick off their Austrian mini-tour tonight. And with Robbie Blake carrying a niggling calf injury, manager Steve Cotterill was today hoping last season's 22-goal hitman recovers to avoid being
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Sinclair planning a Clarets future
FRANK Sinclair intends to strut his stuff for quite a while after doing the Lambeth Walk all the way to Burnley. Sinclair is the only one of Steve Cotterill's five summer signings to be handed less than a three-year deal. But the Lambeth-born defender
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Red Rose facing a must-win challenge
LANCASHIRE'S hopes of winning the Totesport League are hanging by a thread as they prepare to face Warwickshire at Old Trafford. Today's day-night clash is a must win game for the Red Rose side and even then they are relying on other teams slipping up
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At 18, Vicki's passed pub keeper exam
A TEENAGER raised a glass this week when she became one of the youngest people ever to pass her innkeeping exams. Vicki Poulton, of Worcester Road, Whitebirk, Blackburn, completed the British Institute of Innkeepers course weeks after her 18th birthday
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Freckleton 0 Padiham 0
PADIHAM took their total number of players used in pre-season friendlies to 22 when the Storks drew 0-0 away to Freckleton last night. With defences on top throughout and both sets of forwards still looking to get their sights on goal adjusted, Wayne
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Blues face Rams test
UNIBOND League newcomers Clitheroe will look to build on their improving pre-season against Ramsbottom United tonight. The pair meet at the Riverside Ground tonight (7.45) with both sides having won at the weekend. The Rams notched a 1-0 win at Burnley
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'I won't risk Moore'
BURNLEY striker Ian Moore will not be risked when the Clarets kick off their Austrian mini-tour tonight. And with Robbie Blake carrying a niggling calf injury, manager Steve Cotterill was today hoping last season's 22-goal hitman recovers to avoid being
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Dead Lido fish may be victims of the weather
UP to 1,000 fish found dead at Bury's Clarence Lido could have been casualties of oxygen level problems caused by the variable weather. Officers from the Environment Agency and Bury Council are continuing their investigations to pinpoint why the roach
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Man accused of wounding
POLICE have charged a 24-year-old man from Darwen after a knife attack left two people in hospital. Adrian Dutton was due to appear at Blackburn Magistrates Court today to face a wounding charge. Ambulances were called to the incident in Sudell Road,
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Community partnership to tackle problems
A NEW police and community partnership aimed at getting residents involved in tackling their own neighbourhood problems is set to be launched in Darwen. The scheme, called PACT (Police and Community Together), will give residents the opportunity to have
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Play go-ahead nearer
A ROSSENDALE recreation area could be transformed if plans by a local residents' group are approved by the borough council. Cloughfold Recreation Action Group (CRAG) has put forward ambitious proposals for the site off Hareholme Lane, in Higher Cloughfold
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Thousands set to flock to Royal Lancs show
THE ROYAL Lancashire show starts on Tuesday with as many as 60,000 visitors expected over the next three days. The county's showpiece agricultural event, being held at Salesbury Hall Farm in Ribchester, near Blackburn, is one of the region's most popular
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Extra cash available to regenerate
REGENERATION supremos delivering a £103million programme to revitalise East Lancashire's run down neighbourhoods are set to bid for more funds. Elevate East Lancashire, one of nine "pathfinder" companies set up to transform dilapidated neighbourhoods,
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Evening classes pay off in style
THREE students have made history for a Blackburn college by getting first-class honours degrees. The St Mary's College students have been following classes accredited by Liverpool's Hope University at the Shear Brow campus. The college has been affiliated
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Popular restaurant re-named in buy-out
ONE of Blackburn's best-known restaurants is to change its name after being sold off. Tiggi's, in King William Street, is to be re-named Ristaurante Italiano as part of a bid by new owners to broaden its appeal. Hilton Leisure, run by Brinscall man John
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Stanley run rule over Njie
ACCRINGTON Stanley manager John Coleman is expecting to run the rule over Gambian international Baboucarr Njie this week. The pacy striker, who recently represented Gambia in World Cup 2006 qualifying matches, began a trial with the Reds in their 1-1
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Striker James is spot on
Accrington Stanley 1 Crewe Alexandra 1. . . ACCRINGTON Stanley manager John Coleman labelled Lutel James' penalty equaliser as the best spot-kick the striker has taken. Cool-headed James gave Crewe goalkeeper Clayton Ince no chance as he rammed the ball
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SOCCER: Joe all set to give it a go!
YOUNG Preston North End striker Joe O'Neill says he is determined to put the injury which blighted last season behind him and push for a place in the club's first team. The Blackburn-born forward was promoted to North End's senior squad last season, but
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Assault on toddler was 'freak incident'
A MAN has been given a community punishment order after assaulting a two-year-old boy. A court heard how Colin Wardle had been taking care of the child at his home in March when the incident happened. Wardle, aged 37, of Bedford Street, Bury, who appeared
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EVENTS in East Lancashire and surrounding area on Wednesday, July 28
Table Tennis Match Night, Burnley Boys Club, 7pm. Slimming World, Padiham Methodist Church, 7pm. WeightWatchers, St Cuthbert's Church Hall, Sharp Street, Burnley, 6.30pm. Slimming World, St Cuthbert's Parish Community Hall, Burnley, 10am. WeightWatchers
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Where has all the rainwater gone?
RAIN, rain and more rain - that's been most people's impression of East Lancashire's summer so far. In the past month we have had 150 millilitres of the stuff and sadly plenty more is forecast for the next fortnight. And yet those in charge of our water
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Workington go to town on Lions
WORKINGTON TOWN...40 LIONS...22: INJURY ravaged Lions put up a good fight against a fast improving Town side in the Workington sunshine, but couldn't gain victory, despite a good comeback. The Lions had the first attack in the fourth minute, but Wayne
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Graft that puts on the shine
ON stage, many of East Lancashire's amateur dramatics groups wow audiences with their polished performances. In a new Curtainraiser series, JENNY SCOTT joins the Oswaldtwistle Players on casting night for their new comedy to learn about the hard graft
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Cultures make all the difference
WITH the BNP manifesto ending in a hole, Mrs Newel (LET, July 20) tries to paint a similarity for Islamic culture and the Asian community. These differences are normal and healthy, encouraged in a multi-racial society. It is by no means a cancer. Obviously
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Older people are delinquents too
WHAT a brilliant idea Margo Grimshaw has come up with to cure the binge drinking problem in Blackburn town centre. An even better idea would be to close all the pubs, that would certainly solve the problem. I came across this item from a church magazine
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Dead Lido fish may be victims of the weather
UP to 1,000 fish found dead at Bury's Clarence Lido could have been casualties of oxygen level problems caused by the variable weather. Officers from the Environment Agency and Bury Council are continuing their investigations to pinpoint why the roach
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Phones mast plan sparks new protest
PLANS for a third new mobile phone mast in Burnley have been submitted to Burnley Council. Masts are already proposed for King's Mill, in Queen Street, Briercliffe, and Brownside Road, and now there are plans for a third on a grass verge in Glen View
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Equality group faces closure
BURY Racial Equality Council is staring at extinction after a second plea for cash help was turned down. The REC says it will close within weeks unless a benefactor comes forward, and the wider community would be the loser. But Bury councillors say they
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Stead out to prove his worth
BLACKBURN Rovers striker Jonathan Stead has underlined his determination to prove he's not a one-hit wonder. The former Huddersfield Town hit-man was a revelation for Rovers last season, scoring six goals in 13 league appearances, after making the step
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No plan to sign Italian striker
BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness has ditched his plan to sign the exciting young Italian striker Rey Velpato. The 17-year-old forward caused quite a stir during Rovers' pre-season tour of Germany, scoring twice as a second half substitute in the 8-0 thrashing
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Appeal to recognise volunteers
A BURNLEY magistrate is appealing for more recognition for Lancashire volunteers after three groups received awards for their services to the community. Susan Hughes, chairman of the advisory panel for the Queen's Golden Jubilee Award, is leading a campaign
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Hit-and-run killer: Family say sorry
THE family of a man who killed a pensioner in a hit-and-run smash today apologised for the misery he caused to the victim's relatives. Mohammed Shafi, 68, today expressed his regret after his son Zahid Shafi was sentenced to four years in jail at Burnley
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Violent pair face possibility of prison
A WOMAN and a schoolboy could be facing custody after admitting violence charges at Burnley Crown Court. Kathleen Norwood, 34, of Colne Road, Brierfield pleaded guilty to unlawful wounding on February 2. She denied the more serious charge of wounding
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Man jailed after baseball bat attack
A MAN who carried out a baseball bat attack that fractured the victim's jaw in two places has been jailed for three years. Khalil Ahmed, 23, of Clegg Street, Brierfield, was found guilty by a jury of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and violent
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Donor Peter's joy at the gift of life
A ROLLS-ROYCE worker from Pendle has spoken of his joy at being able to donate lifesaving bone marrow to a Spanish man. However, Peter Phillips will never get the chance to meet the man whose life he saved, because of Spain's strict donor laws. Peter,
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Thousands set to flock to Royal Lancs show
THE ROYAL Lancashire show starts on Tuesday with as many as 60,000 visitors expected over the next three days. The county's showpiece agricultural event, being held at Salesbury Hall Farm in Ribchester, near Blackburn, is one of the region's most popular
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Police identify body in park as taxi driver
DETECTIVES are attempting to unravel the final movements of a 22-year-old taxi driver, hours before his badly burned body was found in a Whitefield park. Police have named the dead man as father-of-one Tahir Shahoor Butt from the Fallowfield area of Manchester
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Rural campaigners in luxury flats fight
COUNTRYSIDE campaigners have been gearing up to fight plans to build nearly 40 luxury homes in the Ribble Valley. The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) wants the council to veto the project in Brockhall Village, a community controversially created
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Hyndburn's final bid
HYNDBURN Under 15s bid to make it into the final of the Lancashire Schools' Ainsworth Trophy when they take on Rochdale in the semi-final at Rochdale today. The local youngsters made it into the semis after beating Sefton by five wickets in their quarter-final
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Revolution could be a local boost
THE Twenty20 revolution in national cricket should be used to inspire a rebirth for the local league cricket. There is no doubting that the new limited overs format has gripped a new audience on the county scene this summer and I feel the Twenty20 idea
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Darwen's cup and league double
DARWEN'S double-header with Preston over the weekend saw them claim eight points from a winning draw on Saturday which they followed up with a comprehensive seven wicket victory in the Thwaite's Smooth Cup on Sunday. Darwen batted first on Saturday and
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Matt's back
MATT Derbyshire will make his return to Great Harwood Town tomorrow night. The striker will be playing for a Blackburn Rovers XI in a friendly against his old club, arranged as part of the deal that took him to Ewood Park last season. Kick-off is 7.30pm
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Win one lose one
BURY Croquet Club had two teams in action at the weekend. On Saturday the Advanced squad were visited by South Lakes, in a match using teams of three on an all-play-all basis. The visitors' leader, Dave Nick, is rather out of the class of the Bury players
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Stead out to prove his worth
BLACKBURN Rovers striker Jonathan Stead has underlined his determination to prove he's not a one-hit wonder. The former Huddersfield Town hit-man was a revelation for Rovers last season, scoring six goals in 13 league appearances, after making the step
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Contracts joy for company
A DARWEN company could be set to win lucrative contracts after winning a prestigious qualification. Brookhouse Composites Ltd, based in India Mill, is one of just a handful of UK firms to land an award which shows the company follows strict guidelines
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Gazza - a Boro boy for the day!
LISBON, Newcastle, Vilamoura, Marbella, Monaco - Radcliffe! writes Peter Collins It's not often the town gets placed in such exalted company, but it was indeed the latest port of call for footballing legend Paul Gascoigne on Saturday, helping to swell
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Ex-councillors fail in parish appeals
TWO former parish councillors have failed in their bid to have a standards board ruling overturned. David Holden and David Smith were found to have failed to declare a "personal and prejudicial interest" in a planning application to demolish and rebuild
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Lord Square deals 'just weeks away'
THE owners of Blackburn's shopping centre today said they were just weeks away from signing deals with "household names" to takes stores in the new Lord Square. Reit Assett management is about to embark on a £15million re-vamp of the dilapidated square
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Watch out for firebugs
HEADTEACHERS across East Lancashire are being urged to review the security of their schools during the summer holidays in a bid to combat arson and vandal attacks. Police and fire crews have joined to issue the warning after revealing that in the last
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Travellers on way
TRAVELLERS were today getting ready to leave land near Blackburn's fire station after council officers applied to have them removed. The travellers said yesterday they had arrived in East Lancashire after leaving a site across the Pennines in Leeds. Kieran
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Simon beats 2,000 to win place in dancing academy
A TALENTED dancer is hoping to take his first steps to stardom after winning a place at a prestigious London dance school. Simon Robinson was handpicked from 2,000 applicants for a scholarship at the prestigious Urdang Musical Theatre Academy, despite
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Wrestling with waiting times
EAST Lancashire patients are still waiting too long to see their doctors - despite new measures to reduce GP appointment waiting times. Under Government guidelines, patients should be seen by a primary care professional within 24 hours of requesting attention
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Budget leaves police counting coppers
THE number of police officers in Lancashire could fall after police chiefs revealed their expected budget increase for next year wouldn't cover the force's rising wage bill. Lancashire Police is facing a hat-trick of money problems - which when added
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'Watch your water' shock
WATER company United Utilities today came under fire after asking people to be "water wise" - despite one of the gloomiest summers for years. The company has warned people across the region not to be careless with water, since just a couple of hot days
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130 homes face bulldozer in £10m facelift
SOME of Bury's worst housing will be demolished after a £10 million scheme to transform the Pimhole area was approved. Council bosses have officially declared clearance areas in what is the biggest regeneration programme ever undertaken in the borough
